33 miners have been killed in a methane gas explosion in a coal mine, while other 77 workers are still missing, the Emergency Situations Ministry spokesman Igor Krol announced on Sunday.

The blast took place early Sunday at a depth of 1,000 meters in the Zasyadko coalmine in Donetsk, the main town of Ukraine's eastern coal-rich region. The Zasyadko mine employs some 10,000 people and produces up to 10,000 tones of coal every day.

The death toll was initially reported to be 17. Ukraine's Vice Prime Minister Andry Kliuev confirmed that 26 miners have been hospitalized by now, one of them was injured seriously, and others were diagnosed with gas poisoning.

According to the Interfax news agency, over 10 hours after the methane explosion, the fire at the mine was still not under control.

"Efforts are under way to extinguish the fire. After that, rescuers will begin their work," Kliuev said.

At the time of explosion 457 miners were working underground and over 350 workers had been rescued after the accident.

According to the Ukrainian media reports, the affected mine shaft had been the scene of numerous methane gas explosions in which dozens have been killed. Ukrainian mines are amongst the world's most dangerous wit underground methane gas explosions common in recent years.

Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovich announced he is flying to Donetsk, his native region, to assess the situation.